SP Rides: My Fairlady Z
By Michael Kitchens
Name: Changxin Zhang
Age: 29
Occupation: Military
Hobbies: Working on cars, traveling, drawing and paintball
Year/Make/Model: 1977 Datsun 280Z
Color: Custom White Pearl
Engine: L28E (2.8 Liter inline 6-cylinder), cast-iron block, alloy head, SOHC, catalytic converter, Custom Flowmaster exhaust
Interior: All original except for seats, carpet and stereo, S2K bucket seats, Custom seat bracket and rails, Alpine deck and rear speakers, pioneer front speakers
Exterior: Aftermarket fender mirrors, Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) rear spoiler, Aftermarket front air dam, Takata Tow Strap, Custom Flowmaster exhaust, Hella Supertone Horn, 280z Front and Back bumper delete
Wheels and Tires: 15×8” Rota RKR (4×114.3) with Kelly Charger GT in 215/60R15
Shout-outs: My wife-Xinglin for putting up with my OCD (Obsessive Car Disorder); Oscar’s Auto Body and Painting (Oscar, Mario and Kline for the body work, Mars for the paint job)
While growing up in China, Changxin Zhang was literally worlds apart when it came to being an automotive enthusiast…it didn’t even register at the time. At that time, the most one would hope for would be a moped for basic transportation. Although times have surely changed since then, Changxin didn’t become enthralled with cars until his first years in high school after immigrating to Ohio. With the purchase of a base model Impreza by his father, his road into the world of automotive performance began. Since then, he’s owned over eighteen different vehicles including a Nissan 350Z and Subaru WRX just to name a few.
Over time, his taste has changed…although he is the current owner of a Stage 2 EVO X, he has found himself appreciating the classics. This eye-catching 1977 Datsun 280Z harkens back to the heritage he had come to know while owning the more modern 350Z. “The horsepower rush you get from a modern car is nice, but I love the chilled, laid-back feeling of driving an older car.”
Changxin found this 280Z locally after a few years of searching for the right one all over the mainland. He negotiated an agreeable price for both parties, and went home with his new baby in hand.
First thing on his mind was bringing the exterior up to par. After repairing some rust spots, the base white was lathered in custom mix of White Pearl with black accents. The exterior features some choice bits including aftermarket front fender mirrors, front air dam, and a Brock Racing Enterprises rear spoiler. The front and rear bumpers have been deleted and their place Takata tow straps have been added. Bright red Hella Supertone Horns spice up the dark front fascia.
For being nearly 40 years old, the interior is amazingly well maintained. First to go were the well-worn seats which were replaced by a set of S2000 leathers with self-made seat brackets and rails by Changxin. The carpeting was replaced and the rest of the interior given some love. An Alpine receiver sits snugly in the dash along with 6x9s in the rear with Pioneer tweeters in the front. A mounted fire extinguisher is on-hand just in case of any mishaps.
Engine wise, the original 170HP 2.8L L28E I6 still remains in the car. It’s been refreshed with some TLC and purrs like a kitten. For the moment, it will remain, but a long range project is on the horizon with an eventual RB26 swap. An aftermarket catalytic converter and custom Flowmaster Exhaust has been added to control emissions and give the car some growl. The matching shoes are 15×8″ Rota RKRs with Kelly Charger GTs in 25/60R15s for the rubber to meet the road.
For Changxin, this car represents several generations…the older folks who yearned to own this ride, and the younger enthusiasts who have learned to appreciate a car like this. He gets a ton of comments no matter where it goes. “It makes me proud that the work I have put into it is being recognized. It motivates me.” he says. The car is simply a stunning example of a Fairlady Z.
